Lesson 13: Technology and Dramatic Play
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able to:
- Identify stages of play.
- Discuss dramatic play themes.
- Describe how to use technology to document and enhance dramatic play.
Teaching
Read Chapter 11 in Week by Week
Play and Social Development
How children relate to other people is called social development. People who have studied children's play noticed that children relate to people in different ways at different ages.
Early Play (Infant) Most of an infant's play is with parents and other family members. Babies like this play and the good feeling it brings. You can sing to babies, move their hands and feet, nuzzle their tummy, and the babies will smile, laugh, and coo. When baby is a little older, simple games like peek-a-boo are fun. Babies seemn to enjoy the good feelings that come from being talked to and held close.
Solitary Play (Toddler) The toddler enjoys playing alone. At this age there is little play with
other children of the same age, though they may walk around each other. Older toddlers, about the age of 2 1/2, will begin to relate to other children by touching and speaking to them.
Parallel Play (Preschool) At this stage, children enjoy being with each other, but they do not
interact very much. They will play side by side, watch, and listen to each other. They sometimes may fight over the same toy.
Associative Play (Preschool) Children still are doing their own thing. They often do the same thing as other children, but they do not do it together. Children sitting side by side in a sandbox will repeat what the others are doing.
Cooperative Play (Preschool) When speaking and listening skills are more developed, children can communicate. They plan, and tell each other what to do. They do things in response to what others do. They pretend to play house, be a mother and father, and try out relationships.
Later Play (School) School-age children structure their play with rules and time limits. All
those playing together are expected to play fair. They choose up sides and form teams. They take turns.
Technology can be used to document dramatic play to share with families or review with children to encourage participation. Videos and photos can be displayed throughout the classroom to prompt students to discuss these events and perhaps engage in further play on a deeper level. Photos and videos can be included in portfolios as documentation of learning, but if they include children other than the primary portfolio child, permission must be obtained from the other student’s family.
It is important to respect confidentiality and privacy when sharing photos or videos on websites, social media, and in portfolios. Most programs have digital release policies outlining permission for sharing photos or videos. Some programs use social media such as Facebook as a tool to connect with families and the community. Teachers and classroom volunteers should never share pictures or videos on their personal social media without specific permission from the child’s family.
Assessment
Lesson 13 Quiz
Watch the above video and then answer the following questions:
- What stage of play are these children demonstrating and what evidence from the video supports your choice?
- Write a short paragraph discussing the rights of children concerning the use of digital media. Reference your text.
- Ask the staff where you conduct your observations about their photo/video/social media policy. Describe it in a paragraph and include a copy of their written policy if possible.
Lesson 13 Discussion
Share your favorite dramatic play area theme. What materials are included? How could you use technology to enhance this theme?